The Humble Granny Square - US Terminology
The Square Granny (4-Sided)
The 4-sided square is the quintessential granny motif. Its pattern involves working a total of four identical corner spaces and four side sections.
The Definitive Pattern
This pattern uses the efficient ch 5 start/join method.
Materials: Yarn of your choice and a compatible hook size.
Round 1: Establishing the Corners
Start: Use the Magic Ring (preferred for tight center) or Chain 4 Sl St Loop to form ring method.
Corner Start: Ch 5 (counts as dc and ch 2).
Clusters: Work 3 dc into the ring,
ch 2. Repeat this (3 dc, ch 2) 2 more times. You now have 3 clusters and 4 ch-2 spaces (Remember: you also have the beginning ch 5 and the 1st 3 chains count as a dc.)
Join: Work 2 dc into the ring. Sl st into the 3rd chain of the beginning ch 5.
(You should have 4 clusters and 4 corner spaces).
Round 2: Defining the Shape
Move & Corner Start: Sl st into the corner space you just joined into. Ch 5.
Side 1: Work 3 dc into the same corner space. Ch 1.
Corners: Work a Full Corner (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) into each of the next three corner spaces. Separate each corner with ch 1.
Join: Work 2 dc into the starting corner space. Sl st into the 3rd chain of the beginning ch 5.(You should have 4 full corners and 4 side clusters).
Round 3 and Beyond (The Repeater Round)
This is the repeating formula for all subsequent rounds.
Move & Corner Start: Sl st into the corner space. Ch 5.
Side 1: Work 3 dc into the same corner space. Ch 1.
Side Clusters: Work 3 dc into every ch-1 side space from the previous round, separating each cluster with a ch 1.
Corners: When you reach the next ch-2 corner space, work a Full Corner: (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc). Ch 1 after the corner.
Repeat: Continue repeating the Side Cluster sequence and the Full Corner sequence until you reach the start.
Join: Work 2 dc into the starting corner space. Sl st into the 3rd chain of the beginning ch 5.
TIP: Counting Clusters
To confirm your triangle is growing correctly, the number of clusters on each side (between the ch 2 corners) should always be one less than the round number.
Example: In Round 5, you should have 5 - 1 = 4 clusters on each side.
Joining New Colors
To make a multi-colored granny square:
Join: Finish the current round by cutting the yarn after the final sl st. Pull the tail through to secure. Weave in the end immediately.
Attach New Yarn: Make a slip knot with the new color and place it on your hook. Insert the hook into any ch-2 corner space from the previous round.
Start: Make a ch 5 and 3 dc more into the same corner space and continue with the repeating pattern.
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Notice how 1 extra side cluster is added for each round.
3.2. The Rectangle/Oblong Granny
The rectangle uses the same stitch components as the square, but it requires two different types of sides: short sides and long sides. To achieve this shape, you begin with a starting chain that is longer than a simple loop.
A. Starting the Rectangle Foundation
The length of your starting chain determines the final width of the rectangle.
Foundation Chain: Ch a number of stitches that is a multiple of three, plus 5 (for the corner and the turning chains).
Example for a small rectangle: Ch 17 (4 clusters times 3 chains + 5).
1st Partial -Corner: Work 3 dc into the 6th ch from the hook. (The 1st ch 5 acts as your turning ch 3 plus the first ch 2 corner space). Ch 2 and make 3 more dc in the same stitch.
Work Across the Side: Ch 1. Skip 3 chains. Work 3 dc into the next chain. Repeat this sequence (ch 1, skip 3, 3 dc) until you reach the last chain.
Full Corner 1: In the final chain, work the first full corner: (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc, ch 2 and 3 dc)
Work Down the opposite side: You are now working back down the opposite side of the chain. Ch 1. Work 3 dc in the same ch as the 3 dc cluster on the first side), keeping your stitch aligned. Repeat until you reach the beginning.
Join: Work 2 dc into the same chain as your beginning ch 5. Sl st into the 3rd chain of the beginning ch 5.
Round 2.
The repeater round is similar to the square, but you treat the short and long sides differently.
Beginning of Round 2. Sl st into the ch 2 sp and ch 5. In the space make 3 dc. Ch 1 and make and full corner (3 dc, ch 2 and 3 dc) in the next ch 2 sp.
Short Sides: Ch 1 and make 3 dc in each ch 1 space across until the next corner ch 2. In the ch 2 sp make another full corner. Ch 1 and make the next full corner. (Ch 1 and make 3 dc in the next ch 1 sp.) Repeat this until you reach the partial corner you made at the beginning. Ch 1 and make 2 dc in the same sp. Join to the 3rd ch of the beginning ch 5 with a sl st.
Repeater Rounds.
The subsequent rounds will all be worked as for the square granny with 3 dc in each ch 1 sp and (3 dc, ch 2 and 3 dc) in each corner sp.
The key to the rectangle is ensuring you have two long, identical sides and two short, identical sides in every round.
After learning how to make the most used Granny Squares, go and search for different ways to join them and cool edgings to use. Pinterest and YouTube have tons of ideas. I encourage you to visit my online Inspiration Board to spark creativity for your next project!
This ever-growing collection of completed Granny Square projects—from vibrant blankets and stylish garments or just plain weird stuff—is the perfect resource for choosing color palettes, understanding scale, and envisioning your final design. Visit www.crochetmethat.com and navigate to the Inspiration Board to see what other creators are making and find the perfect starting point for your unique creation. Happy hooking!